Under the Pile

I have wanted to update our blog for what feels like a year! Even though it's only been a few months, so much has happened. We have had an extremely cold winter and Brayden was privileged to see snow not once, but four times!!! Our biggest snowfall occured when I was out of school for the day--a planned teacher holiday if you can believe it--and we knew the weather forecast called for the infamous word: accumulation. But, it happened just as the weatherman said it would; it began snowing Friday afternoon and acculmulated up to 5" and by the morning, we had a beautiful blanket of soft, white snow covering as far as the eye could see. I was so happy to bundle Brayden and take as many pictures as possible. He's not quite old enough to make snow angels, but we did sit him in his bumbo for a snap or two.



The running conversations at school concern Fulton Cty's inability to maintain a budget and its need to eliminate close to 500 teachers for the FY11 school year. This is a tough pill to swallow for many, as all decisions are based on seniority with the county, and while some teachers may have 5, 10, 15 years under their belt, if they've only been with Fulton for the past 2-3, their job may be in jeopardy! I did turn in my letter of intent in January stating that I "intended not to return," but that statement is not binding should we feel I need some type of compensation. I've recently learned, however, that my name will most likely appear on the RIF (Reduction In Force) or surplus list, ultimately forcing me out of a job. God has a funny way about making things VERY CLEAR when stubborn minds like mine cannot seem to "get the picture." Some optimists say that if I were "RIF'd", as we call it, I could collect unemployment for essentially being fired and not finding a job in education because there are no jobs! That would be wild! The bottom line is that we are trusting God to provide for ALL of our needs "according to His riches in Christ Jesus." We feel confident that the best decision is for me to stay home next year to be with Brayden and I am thrilled at the very thought of this becoming a reality. At present, I literally have 150 research papers to wade through, 60 timed writings, 90short essays from a test, and other little things that I honestly just want to throw in the trash can! I am slowly making my way, but when I consider that the classroom size will increase next year by three students (from 32-35), I am so grateful the Lord has made a way for me to be home with my little buddy! He is such a delight to be with and his laughter can do nothing but create sheer joy in a room.
I'll post this evening an update from the CT scan. Thanks, in the meantime, for your prayers!